Institute for Holistic Learning Based on Montessori Education

Education – in all its various <strong>for</strong>ms …
Dr. Michael Häupl
Mayor of Vienna
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… is, beyond any doubt, the most important “raw material“ of the 21st century.
I am thinking here of the varied classical Viennese school education in particular,
such as the Technical and Vocational Schools; Universities; Adult-Education
Centres; Post-graduate Education; Professional Development in the
workplace; and Life-long <strong>Learning</strong> Initiatives.
The declaration that Education is extremely important in Vienna is not just lip
service. It is proved by the many successful programmes run in schools and by
the encouragement of initiatives towards Further Education. An example that I
am thinking of in the area of school Education is the dedicated “Cooperative
High Schools Model” (Kooperative Mittelschule). This model is excellent <strong>for</strong>
students as it offers a high degree of flexibility.
A significant step <strong>for</strong>ward in Post-graduate Education in Vienna which has had a successful
outcome, has been the founding of the “Vienna School of Clinical Research”. In the past 3 years,
more than a thousand doctors and scientists from all over the world have come to Vienna.
The internationally assembled teaching staff in the field of clinical research are making use of
and enjoying the modern and high quality training provided.
Another achievement in a completely different sector established by the City of Vienna is the
“Employee Support Fund”. The purpose of the Fund is to guarantee employees and job-seekers
better opportunities in the workplace through Further Education – an important aspect in view of
global competition.
A special concern of the City of Vienna, apart from specific initiatives in the field of education, is to
attract the best “Minds” to its Universities and Research Centres. This has been achieved in some
cases through the establishment of Guest Professors or Chairs; in other cases through grants or
financial support to Scientific Institutions. The world famous quantum physicist Anton Zeilinger and
his <strong>Institute</strong> <strong>for</strong> Quantum Optics and In<strong>for</strong>mation is only one example.
There<strong>for</strong>e, it is obvious: <strong>for</strong> everybody who wants to learn or study, children, young people or
adults, we need the best teachers possible. The City of Vienna has a duty and a commitment to
providing a creative, stimulating and pleasant surrounding in field of Education.